What’s New?

Cases, Clinics and Success Stories

Volunteering is what makes The Pro Bono Project work. Open the doors—take a case, read our success stories, or help out at a clinic.

On-going Volunteer Opportunity

The Pro Bono Project has taken the lead in managing and recruiting volunteers for Self Help Resource Center (SHRC) at Orleans CDC and 24the JDC.

For more information and to volunteer, please email Managing Attorney for Volunteer Engagement, Kathleen Legendre or call her at 504.581.4043 Ext. 207.

Katrina Retrospective

In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we pay tribute to the many people who came to the aid of The Pro Bono Project in the days after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of our beloved City. Read theCommunity Thank Youletter.

We recount some of the many stories from the moment when we realized that both our clients and our volunteers were spread across the country, as was our entire population, right up until the present day.

CLE Credit for Pro Bono Hours

Program Funders

Funders for Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Clinics

Funding Partners

Message from The Pro Bono Project’s Chair

Law Firm Liaison Lunch on June 18, 2019

Christopher K. Ralston, 2019 Board Chair

The heart of The Pro Bono Project is the collaborative effort between The Project’s staff and the hundreds of volunteers who give their time and expertise at no charge every year to ensure residents in need have access to the civil legal system. I am inspired by the strength of our legal community’s pro bono culture and their willingness to help. From volunteering at the Self-Help Resource Centers and community clinics to direct representation and annual giving, our supporters embrace their professional responsibility to do good.

As we know, the need is great. In seventy-percent of civil cases in Louisiana, one or both parties are forced to represent themselves. Limited government funding of civil legal aid shifts the burden of addressing this justice gap on organizations like The Pro Bono Project and its volunteers. We are grateful that over the years our local leaders have embraced the pro bono cause.

We invite you to learn about new opportunities and share ways The Pro Bono Project can better serve our volunteers. The Honorable Jay C. Zainey, Jr. is hosting a luncheon for pro bono law firm liaisons and all others interested in addressing the delivery of civil legal aid on Tuesday, June 18th at 12 noon.

I encourage you to attend. And, thank you. We appreciate your commitment to the cause of justice for all.

2019 Justice For All Ball

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

The good times will roll for The Pro Bono Project’s31st Annual Justice For All Ball on Friday, September 20, 2019. The Justice For All Ball is The Project’s premier fundraiser where the legal community gathers to support our mission to provide free, quality civil legal services to the under-served members of our community.

Last year was a momentous one for The Project as we commemorated 30 years of memories. We applauded the many people in the legal, judicial, educational, and business community who, throughout the decades, gave of their time and resources to support our organization.

In celebration of our 31st year, we are asking you to look to the next 30 years of The Pro Bono Project providing access to justice to the most needy and vulnerable of our neighbors. The Justice For All Ball is embarking on a new beginning at a new location. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s event will be held at Mardi Gras World’s Grand Oaks Mansion. Located on the river, the Grand Oaks mansion is an indoor venue that places attendees in the heart of Louisiana. It features an indoor replica of a mansion – complete with columns, footbridges, oak trees, and a starlit sky.

“The new location is an ideal space for the Ball. Centrally located downtown, the venue is a quick Uber ride from home or work and provides ample space for parking. You feel like you are in the heart of scenic Louisiana, yet it is indoors so we are safe from the heat and rain,” said C.C. Kahr, Executive Director.

While the location is new, the best features of the Justice For All Ball will continue. Music, dancing, food, and a silent auction return to entertain guests as they party for a purpose. Original artwork of Lady Justice by Christy Boutte will be auctioned off. We will have a full profile on Christy and other auction items next month.

Patron Party guests will have the opportunity to kick off the night in the Riverview Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Beautifully situated on the second floor above Mardi Gras World’s Grand Oaks Mansion, the Riverview Room offers expansive views of the Mississippi River. Patron Party tickets will include cuisine by Muriel’s Restaurant, music from Ruth Marie & Her Jazz Band, premium libations, and a few special surprises.

The Ball begins at 8:00 p.m. and will feature live entertainment from the Bucktown All-Stars. As in years past, we are blessed with the support of our restaurant community. Food and beverages from more than 25 of New Orleans’ finest restaurants will ensure that you will not go hungry – or thirsty! Look for the Ball’s signature cocktail to toast The Project and its mission.

Oh, What A Night!

What a wonderful evening of people-gathering, great food and drink, and a variety of entertainment from the Raffle and Auction to the lilting voice of Nayo Jones at the Patron Party, and the playful sounds of Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters at the Justice For All Ball (JFAB)!

Thank you to all of our:

Individual and organizational Sponsors for their continued support of the JFAB, and in particular, our Honorary Chair Calvin C. Fayard, Jr.;

Food and Drink Contributors for their generous donations;

Many local and regional businesses which provided Raffle and Auction prizes;

Partner AmFund for their once in a lifetime array of travel adventures;

Media Partners Gambit and CityBusiness;

Artist Sharika Mahdi for her beautiful interpretation of Lady Justice, and AQ Creative Group of Chicago for the design of JFAB Invitation and complementary materials;

Emcee, Mark Romig and Auctioneer, Andrew Ward; and

Many other partners who contributed either in-kind or reduced costs on products and services to make the evening memorable.

Our special thanks to JFAB Committee Co-Chairs, Sharonda Williams and Kevin Colomb, and 2019 Ball Committee Chair Nadège A. Assalé, and their various Committee Chairs and members, and The Project Staff and volunteers who worked behind the scenes for the past eight months and during the Ball to make the 30th Annual Justice For All Ball a fabulous celebration of the past 30 years!

Again, thank you to all for your generous support of the Justice For All Ball and The Pro Bono Project. We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2019 Justice For All Ball.